This is the dramatic moment a rescue team helped stranded villagers cross waist-deep floods following heavy rain in southern Thailand.

The locals had been trekking through the woodland when a storm caused the water to suddenly swell and burst the banks of the river - trapping them in the torrents.

Volunteers from the response team secured themselves with safety ropes and waded through the fast-flowing deluge to assist distressed residents caught in the flash flood in Trang province on July 1.

They were eventually pulled to safety and helped to dry off.

Thailand and neighbouring countries in Southeast Asia are approaching their annual monsoon rainy season which sees soaring temperatures followed by powerful rain storms in the afternoon leading to widespread flash floods.